Government has officially commissioned the Salamano Grid Intensification Projects in Kitwe District, Copperbelt Province. The ceremony signified the handover of the project to Zesco Limited for operations and maintenance.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Energy Eng. Peter Kapala MP, Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo said government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) had embarked on grid intensification projects such as Salamano grid intensification projects in order to enhance electricity access at an affordable cost.

Honourable Eng. Kapala said the grid intensification technology under grid development was timely intervention which has significantly accelerated electricity connections as it targets densely populated communities where the electricity network already exists.

And speaking at the same occasion REA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Linus Chanda said the increase in Government funding to REA in the 2023 budget had given impetus to undertaking more life changing projects.

The Salamano Grid Intensification Project was undertaken at a cost of 2.1 million kwacha.

“Developing electricity infrastructure targeting scaling uptake of electricity access was important for the developing of the rural areas as it contributed to the attainment of government’s electrification target as set out in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the vision 2030 and indeed the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP).”

The Minister also said the Salamano Grid Intensification Project targeted 203 standard connections with a provision of ready boards.

He also said he was gratified that the project was expected to bring about socio- economic benefits for a catchment population of 16,000.